WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED AT A CALIFORNIA WOMEN'S PRISON?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S PRISON SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted in California Correctional Facilities
Levy Konigsberg proudly represents hundreds of women who were sexually assaulted in various prisons, jails and correctional facilities. We are one of the nation’s leading law firms in sex abuse cases, and have earned national recognition for our many lawsuits filed in New York for female inmates. We are using our experience and resources to bring the same caliber of counsel and representation to current and former inmates in California, too.
Were you sexually abused?
Experienced Law Firm for California Women’s Prison Abuse Lawsuits
At Levy Konigsberg, our team of California prison sex abuse attorneys is currently investigating many different sex abuse cases at women’s prisons in California.
We are able to bring a lawsuit against the most powerful prisons and government institutions. Contact us for the powerful legal counsel you need to pursue justice and compensation against the correctional officers who perpetrated sex crimes as well as the prison system that covered up these offenses.
If you were sexually abused within the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF), California Institution for Women (CIW), Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW), Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF), Folsom Women’s Facility, or any other California prison or jail, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Reach out today.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF)
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) is a female-only state prison in Chowchilla, California operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). It is the largest female-only correctional facility in the country and is located adjacent to Valley State Prison, which was formerly Valley State Prison for Women.
As with other female-only jails and prisons across California, Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) has had a dark legacy of sexual abuse perpetrated against female inmates. This includes years of alleged and substantiated claims involving female inmates being abused by prison guards and staff, as well as investigative reports and internal records indicating that the problem was rampant and well-known for many years. Many women are now bravely coming forward to shine light on this dark history of abuse.
The history and enablement of sexual abuse at CCWF includes the following allegations and investigations:
- In January 2025, Gregory Rodriguez, former correctional officer at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, was found guilty of 59 felony counts of sexual abuse and five misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting at least 13 inmates. The alleged assaults date back to 2014, with the majority occurring within the past two years. Based on a lawsuit filed by survivors of Rodriguez’s abuse, Rodriguez allegedly lured some victims into a parole board hearing room where there were no cameras before sexually assaulting them. That lawsuit was settled in October 2023 for $3.7 million.
- In September 2024, the United States Department of Justice launched an investigation to evaluate whether CDCR protects people incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility and the California Institution for Women from sexual abuse by correctional staff based on numerous reports of sexual abuse at the facilities.
- Between approximately September 2022 and September 2024, hundreds of lawsuits were filed alleging officers sexually abused people incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility over the last decade, ranging from allegations of inappropriate groping during searches and genital rubbing to forcible rape. In August 2024, allegedly as retaliation for the filing of these complaints of sexual abuse, 159 women were allegedly detained in the cafeteria and correctional officer Fernando Arroyo allegedly directed officers to attack the group with pepper spray, tear gas grenades, rubber bullets, and batons, even though the women complied with orders and posed no threat. Several women allegedly suffered seizures, and a plaintiff was believed to have suffered a stroke after being struck with batons. She was then allegedly placed in isolation for 11 days.
- In October 2023, 29 former female inmates filed a civil lawsuit against the state and CCWF staff over claims that they were sexually abused by correctional officer Israel Trevino Jr. The lawsuit accused prison officials of enabling Trevino, who worked at CCWF for over a decade before his termination in 2018.
- In September 2021, a lawsuit filed by an administrative worker alleged that CCWF Warden Mike Pallares “began demanding sex” from her after she complained of harassment by other staff, and that Pallares coerced her into having sex with him while they were both at work. Pallares had also been accused of misconduct at the time he was investigating Rodriguez in two separate lawsuits. The month prior, another lawsuit by a former female warden accused Pallares of routine sexual harassment after she took control of the prison in 2017. Pallares has also been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct by at least one female inmate.
- In August 2016, a report from the non-profit public interest firm Prison Law Office chronicled many of the problems present at CCWF. This includes claims that CCWF management cultivated a culture that permits, condones, and covers up abuse, enabled guards and staff to retaliate against inmates seeking assistance, and prevented inmates from seeking help from entities outside the institution. Some of the findings included accounts of staff having sexual relations with inmates, inmates being rewarded with contraband (i.e. cigarettes, make-up, jewelry, cell phones, alcohol, and drugs) or special privileges (i.e. more out-of-cell time and phone calls) for engaging in sexual activity with staff, and inappropriately intrusive body searches.
- In 1999, an LA Times investigation highlighted similar human rights issues in the Prison Law Office’s 2016 report. Some of the findings included allegations from a former inmate who claimed her child was fathered behind bars by a prison staff member, allegations from inmates who claimed that they routinely fended off sexual advances from prison guards and work crew supervisors, and a 1996 deposition in which a male nurse assigned with caring for seriously and terminally ill inmates admitted to sexually abusing three patients. A 1997 report from the NY-based Human Rights Watch also found that female inmates were frequently sexually abused in California prisons and that procedures used to report and investigate abuse were flawed and biased in favor of correctional staff.
If you or a loved one has been hurt at CCWF, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Reach out today.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at the California Institution For Women (CIW)
California Institution for Women (CIW) is a women’s state prison operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
Although its mailing address lists Corona, a city in Riverside County, CIW has been physically located in Chino since 2003, following an annexation of land in unincorporated San Bernardino County. The prison was originally opened in its present-day location in 1952 as the California Institution for Women at Corona and was the only women’s prison in the state until 1987.
Like other jails and prisons in California, CIW has a dark history of rampant sexual abuse and harassment committed by guards and prison staff against female inmates. This is illustrated by years of criminal cases against corrections officers, civil lawsuits, and numerous substantiated claims.
The history and enablement of sexual abuse at CIW includes the following allegations and investigations:
- In February 2025, six women filed a lawsuit against Dr. Scott Lee, accusing him of sexually abusing them under the pretense of medical treatment while serving as the only gynecologist at CIW from 2016–2023. The plaintiffs also claimed that the prison system failed to intervene, enabling the abuse to persist and leaving them with no option but to endure the misconduct to access necessary medical care.
- In September 2024, the United States Department of Justice launched an investigation to evaluate whether CDCR protects people incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility and the California Institution for Women from sexual abuse by correctional staff based on numerous reports of sexual abuse at the facilities. The investigation was prompted by, among other lawsuits and allegations, a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of 21 women incarcerated at the California Institution for Women which included allegations of forcible rape and penetration, groping, and oral copulation, as well as threats of violence and punishment with abusive conduct ranging from 2014 to 2020.
- In 2017, three corrections officers at CIW were terminated and charged with felony sex crimes for sexual contact with inmates at or near their housing units. The officers were Robert Darrow, who was charged with assaulting an inmate in May 2017, Officer Tony Garcia, who forced an inmate to perform oral sex on him in her cell that same month, and Officer Stephen Merrill, who groped two female inmates after entering their cell at 3:30am on October 30, 2017. Merrill and Garcia pleaded guilty to their charges.
- In July 2016, a former female inmate filed a federal lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation over allegations that she was sexually assaulted repeatedly by a CIW correctional officer over the course of six months. According to the federal complaint, the Officer, Michael Ewell, “had a history of sexually assaulting women” that was well known to the CDCR. Ewell was reportedly terminated in May 2015 after working at CIW for two years.
- In 2012, two women filed a lawsuit alleging that prison officials failed to protect them from sexual abuse by guards while they were incarcerated at CIW in 2010. The suit claimed that former CIW warden Guillermo Garcia ignored multiple complaints that Officer Gary Swatzell was assaulting several female inmates and that, in retaliation for reporting his misconduct, Garcia ignored a complaint from a lieutenant who claimed she was also assaulted by Swatzell. Swatzell impregnated one of the inmates and was later charged and sentenced to two years in jail. In 2017, the Court imposed sanctions against prison officials for actions during the lawsuit including claiming that Garcia’s file had been shredded despite it being subject to a litigation hold and Garcia himself testifying that he voluntarily retired, when in fact he was involuntarily terminated due to his mishandling of sexual misconduct cases at CIW.
If you or a loved one has been hurt at CIW, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Reach out today.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at the Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW)
Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW) was a female-only prison in Chowchilla, CA that first opened in 1995. In 2013, the prison was converted to a male facility and its name was changed to Valley State Prison.
Since its opening in 1995 and through its conversion in 2013, VSPW faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse involving male staff and female inmates, as well as reports of human rights violations and a toxic culture in which prison leadership overwhelmingly failed to prevent abuse.
VSPW is one of many California female jails and prisons that’s faced decades of alleged and substantiated claims of staff-on-inmate sexual abuse, as well as claims that prison leadership knew about the problem, but failed to stop it.
Now, former female inmates abused at VSPW are stepping forward thanks to new laws in California that are continuing to expand the rights of survivors of sexual abuse.
The history and enablement of sexual abuse at VSPW includes the following allegations and investigations:
- In 1999, delegates from Amnesty International visited VSPW after receiving reports of staff sexually abusing inmates. Several VSPW guards were under investigation at the time for sexual misconduct, including alleged rape.
Staff allegedly conducted repeated searches and verbally harassed and intimidated female inmates in retaliation for filing complaints. One official alleged that some staff would also face retaliation for reporting misconduct.
Inmates reported their complaints were often ignored and that they received no updates about the outcomes. The report noted that the prison had no adequate, formalized procedure for tracking and monitoring complaints.
Only 25-27% of staff at VSPW were female, with the “overwhelming majority” of custody and supervisory staff being male. Most female staff were deployed in administration, nursing, and teaching roles. This was a significant violation of international human rights standards, which provide that female inmates should be supervised only by female officers and that male staff offering services to female inmates should be accompanied by women officers.
The report noted additional concerns:
Male staff had nearly unrestricted access to all parts of the prison, including areas such as living quarters, areas where inmates would dress and undress, and areas with showers or toilets.
Female inmates reported it was common for male staff to touch their breasts and genitals when conducting pat-down searches.
Female inmates reported being disturbed by having routine pelvic exams and other intimate procedures performed by male doctors. It was further alleged that some women believed they were subjected to unnecessary pelvic exams by one particular male doctor, but feared that filing a complaint would affect their ability to receive care in an emergency.
If you or someone you love was hurt at VSPW, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Reach out today.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF)
The history and enablement of sexual abuse at CRDF includes the following allegations and investigations:
- In October 2025, a lawsuit was filed by 38 current and former detainees at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California, alleging that male deputies watched inmates shower, groped them, made comments about their appearance, and retaliated against them for reporting abuse.
- In November 2023, former deputy Jonathan Tejada Paredes was arrested due to a sexual assault allegation involving a woman incarcerated CRDF.
- In July 2020, Roy’ce Bass was arrested and charged with four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a detainee after an investigation into misconduct with at least one inmate while he was a custody assistant at CRDF between August 2017 and January 2018.
- In September 2019, LACSD Deputy Giancarlo Scotti was sentenced to two years in prison as part of a plea deal in which the former deputy pleaded no contest to engaging in sexual activity with female inmates. Scotti had been charged with sexually assaulting six female inmates, whose ages ranged from 24 to 42, while he was a guard at CRDF. The County ultimately reached several high-profile settlements with women assaulted by Scotti. For example:
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- In February 2019, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agreed to pay $950,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former CRDF inmate who claimed she was sexually assaulted by Deputy Giancarlo Scotti during her incarceration.
- In October 2019, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized a $325,000 payout to settle claims brought by another victim of Deputy Giancarlo Scotti.
- In November 2018, the County agreed to pay a total of $3.9 million to settle a lawsuit brought by two former CRDF inmates and a potential suit by a third inmate who claimed they were sexually assaulted by Deputy Giancarlo Scotti in 2017 and that LACSD officials were aware of Scotti’s assaults on numerous inmates, but failed to stop him. One of the lawsuits, which settled for $2.25 million, alleged that Scotti forced an inmate to expose herself and perform oral sex on him, and that Scotti entered another inmate’s cell, ordered her to the showers, and forced her to engage in oral sex before raping her. The suit also alleged that Scotti threatened one of the victims to remain quiet about the abuse and that both inmates had certain privileges taken away after they reported the incidents. Another claim involving a third inmate was settled for $1.65 million.
- In May 2019, The Guardian published an article about recent settlements paid by Los Angeles County over sexual abuse at CRDF, and featured the story of a former inmate who was motivated to become an activist with the grassroots organization Dignity and Power Now after she was assaulted and abused by two different employees during her incarceration at CRDF in 2011. The article also shared insight from other former female inmates about their time at the Lynwood jail. This includes reports of guards exchanging favors or special privileges for sexual acts, sexual relationships between inmates and deputies, and an incident in which a medical staffer masturbated in front of a female inmate.
- In March 2018, the Los Angeles Times published a preliminary report of the CRDF’s compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), a 2003 law that requires basic safeguards to protect inmates from sexual assault and harassment.
The leaked report found that the Lynwood jail failed on nearly every standard required under the PREA, failed to properly investigate and document incidents of sexual misconduct between male staff and female inmates, and enabled a toxic culture in which inmates feared retaliation for stepping forward with their claims.
Some notable findings from the report:
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- Auditors found that the facility met just 2 of 43 safety standards required under the PREA
- Auditors noted several issues during an October 2017 on-site review, including a lack of privacy for female inmates while they showered and changed in their cells.
- Auditors documented that they faced resistance from administrators who denied their requests to review investigative, grievance, personnel, medical, and mental health files.
- Auditors stated that it was unclear whether allegations of sexual misconduct between staff and inmates were systematically recorded.
- The report included many recommendations for corrective action, including expansive overhauls in prevention planning, responsive planning, training and education, risk screening, reporting, handling of inmate complaints, investigations, discipline, medical and mental health care, and data collection and review.
- In 2010, a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of female prisoners at CRDF who allegedly underwent humiliating strip and visual body cavity searches. These searches took place outdoors in a bus garage area, where women were forced to undress in front of other inmates. Many women were made to stand in oil from idling buses, which was mixed with blood from previous menstruating prisoners. Guards allegedly cursed and ridiculed the naked women. Those who were menstruating were instructed to remove their pads and tampons, and without the opportunity to wash their hands, they were ordered to use their fingers to open their mouths for inspection. The searches often occurred in cold weather, including during rain, and at times, male staff could observe the procedures.
Los Angeles County later agreed to a settlement of $53 million for these searches conducted from March 2008 to January 2015, which were described as bordering on sexual assault.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at Folsom Women’s Facility
Folsom Women’s Facility in Represa, CA closed in 2023. Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating claims of abuse at Folsom Women’s Facility. If you or someone you love was hurt at Folsom Women’s Facility, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Reach out today.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at the Federal Correctional Institution Dublin
The history and enablement of sexual abuse at FCI Dublin includes the following allegations and investigations:
- In December 2025, it was reported that nearly 300 additional women were expected to file sexual assault claims and lawsuits against the Bureau of Prisons and individual correctional officers related to abuse at FCI Dublin, following the December 2024 settlement where 103 women were awarded $116 million for the sexual abuse they endured at the facility.
As of 2025, 10 former correctional officers at the prison had been charged with sex crimes.
- In August 2025, two former correctional officers, Jeffrey Wilson and Lawrence Gacad, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing female inmates at the facility.
Wilson worked as a health technician and paramedic at the facility from July 2021 to September 2022. He allegedly targeted an inmate who was taking medication for seizures and encouraged her to transfer to a different area of the prison where there was less staff supervision. Wilson admitted to engaging in sexual acts with the victim on multiple occasions. He also allegedly provided her with contraband, including a cellphone and a pre-paid credit card, which the victim used to send him naked photographs of herself.
Gacad, who served as a correctional officer at the facility between July 2021 and June 2022, allegedly kissed and groped an inmate while assigned as a guard in her housing unit. Gacad admitted to exchanging sexually explicit emails and handwritten notes with the victim. He allegedly used fake names on email accounts to hide his identity and continued to communicate with the victim through video chats even after he resigned from the Bureau of Prisons.
- In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice reached a $115.8 million settlement on behalf of 103 women who survived systematic sexual abuse at the facility.
- In August 2023, eight inmates filed a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons alleging that a “rape club” involving the current warden and 12 former and current guards subjected them to sexual abuse and exploitation. The plaintiffs, supported by the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, alleged that these abuses occurred despite prior prosecutions and reflected a culture of negligence dating back to the 1990s.
- In June 2023, a federal jury convicted correctional officer John Bellhouse on multiple counts of sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact for offenses committed against two female inmates at FCI Dublin between December 2019 and December 2020.
- In May 2023, former correctional officer Darrell Wayne “Dirty Dick” Smith was arrested on a 12-count indictment for the alleged sexual abuse of three female inmates at FCI Dublin between 2019 and 2021.
- In February 2023, former prison food service foreman Enrique Chavez was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for sexually abusing an inmate in the prison’s food pantry in 2020.
- In December 2022, former warden Ray Garcia was convicted of molesting inmates and forcing them to pose for nude photos.
- In August 2022, James Theodore Highhouse, who worked as a chaplain at the prison, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for sexually abusing multiple female inmates.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at the Metropolitan Detention Center – Los Angeles
In 2022, a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) officer employed at the Metropolitan Detention Center – Los Angeles (MDC-LA) pled guilty to rape charges. He had been charged with sexually assaulting a female inmate who was sick from COVID-19. The BOP officer will be sentenced in 2023 and could face up to 10 years in prison for the attack.
The incident at MDC-LA is the only case that has been brought to trial. Yet it was surely not the only sexual assault that occurred on the prison grounds. Women who have been sexually abused while at MDC-LA are encouraged to act now and share their stories. Justice and compensation could be owed to them based on new laws designed to empower sexual assault survivors.
More information about MDC-LA sexual assault cases:
- “BOP Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault of Woman in Federal Custody in Los Angeles”
- “Former guard at LA federal lockup, accused of rape of inmate, pleads guilty”
If you or a loved one has been hurt at the Metropolitan Detention Center – Los Angeles, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Reach out today.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at San Joaquin County Jail
In late 2021, a California correctional officer was indicted on several counts of sexual assault against female inmates of San Joaquin County Jail. He was accused of numerous acts of sexual violence against the inmates, as well as making attempts to cover up the attacks by the threat of force or intimidation. Earlier in the year, a separate officer at San Joaquin County Jail was indicted for the sexual assault of several female inmates.
The pattern of sexual assault against female inmates at San Joaquin County Jail indicates that there is a much larger problem at the jail. It is believed that intentional ignorance or negligence on behalf of jail administrators enabled the guards to commit their crimes. New laws in California could give women who were sexually assaulted at San Joaquin County Jail a legal avenue to pursue compensation, even if an attack happened years or even decades ago.
If you or a loved one has been hurt at San Joaquin County Jail, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Reach out today.
Representing Women Sexually Assaulted at Twin Towers Jail
In May 2013, the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) published findings from a national survey of inmates, which is mandated under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). The survey was conducted between February 2011 and May 2012 and included more than 94,000 inmates at 233 state and federal prisons and 358 local jails across the country, including Twin Towers.
The survey – “Sexual Victimization in Prisons and Jails Reported by Inmates” – found that Twin Towers was among the worst in the nation when it comes to inmates alleging sexual abuse. Some key findings from the report include:
- 8% of respondents at Twin Towers complained of “sexual victimization” – more than twice the national average of 3.2%.
- 4.4% of the reported incidents of sexual victimization involved deputies and jail staff – nearly three times the 1.8% national average for staff-on-inmate abuse.
- Only five other jails across the country reported higher than 8% of sexual assault allegations.
If you are a former female inmate who was sexually abused by deputies or staff at Twin Towers Jail, you may be eligible to pursue compensation – even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago. Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating Twin Towers sexual abuse lawsuits from women incarcerated at the facility at any time in the past.
If you or a loved one has been hurt at Twin Towers Jail, Levy Konigsberg is here to fight for you. Reach out today.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.
Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:
- You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other women's prison staff member.
- The abuse occurred at any women's prison.
Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold women's prisons, youth residential treatment facilities, juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect female inmates.
As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:
- Your abuser is no longer alive.
- Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.
Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims
In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:
- Past medical and mental health expenses
- Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and psychological harm
- Lost income
- Other economic and non-economic damages
California Prison Sex Abuse FAQ
- Can I sue if the sexual encounter in prison was consensual? Sexual encounters between inmates and a person of authority, such as guards, medics, and other staff members, cannot be consensual under the law, even if both parties admit to allowing the encounter. For this reason, you likely still have a valid claim if the defendant tries to argue that the sexual encounter was consensual.
- Can I sue if the facility where I was abused closed? New laws in California may allow claims for prison sexual abuse in California even if the facility that enabled the abuse has been shut down. It is important to speak to experienced legal counsel to find out about your legal rights.
- Can I sue if I never filed a formal complaint at the prison? Yes, you can pursue a California prison sex abuse lawsuit if you never filed a formal complaint at the prison. Many of the inmates and former inmates that we have worked with in the past did not create a formal complaint due to fear of retaliation.
- Can I sue if the guard who abused me was never charged? Yes, the civil lawsuit that you can file and the evidence that you use in it are not dependent on any criminal justice proceedings against the offender. In other words, your lawsuit could be valid if the abusive officer was never charged, or was charged but found not guilty.
California Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Sexual abuse lawsuits, like other claims brought by plaintiffs who seek damages for injuries, are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. When the statute of limitations expires, victims are not able to file claims or recover compensation.
Fortunately, California has recognized that the statute of limitations can act as a barrier to justice for sexual abuse survivors, which research has shown can take years or decades to come to terms with their abuse and the damages it had caused. As such, California passed the Child Victims Act in 2019 to extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits. Under the CA Child Victims Act, survivors sexually abused as minors can file claims until age 40 (22 years after turning 18).
In addition, the “Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act” (AB 2777) gives greater protection to those sexually abused when they were 18 years or older. AB 2777 facilitates the pursuit of justice and accountability, enabling survivors to seek legal recourse against institutions that concealed or enabled the abuse. Under existing law, survivors abused when 18 or older may file a lawsuit within 10 years from the date of the abuse and survivors abused after January 1, 2009 may file until December 2026 for any claim that would otherwise be time-barred.
Determining the statute of limitations that applies to your sexual abuse case against a California entity can be challenging, which is why it is best to bring your matter to the attention of an experienced lawyer.
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at any California women's prison.
Levy Konigsberg is a nationally recognized law firm specializing in representing survivors of sexual abuse in women's prisons. With extensive experience in handling cases of staff-on-inmate sexual misconduct, we have successfully advocated for hundreds of former female inmates across the United States, ensuring that survivors receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Our commitment to holding perpetrators and negligent institutions accountable makes us a trusted ally in the fight against sexual abuse in correctional facilities. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse while incarcerated, Levy Konigsberg offers compassionate and professional legal support to help navigate this challenging time.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.
